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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCold blooded murder of Trayvon a "culmination" of Zimmerman's "mounting concern and frustration"
For the first time last week, we heard Zimmerman, in his own words, explain to police what he said was going through his mind after he spotted the teen in his Sanford, Fla., neighborhood Feb. 26.
His defense team released recorded interviews Thursday in which police question Zimmerman in the days after the shooting, before the controversial case drew any substantial media attention or public outcry, and before Zimmerman had a lawyer.
One thing is clear: To Zimmerman, it was not an isolated incident. It was the culmination of mounting concern and frustration about crime in the subdivision where he was Neighborhood Watch captain.
Prosecutors say the unarmed 17-year-old from Miami Gardens, Fla., was an innocent victim of profiling. Zimmerman, charged with second-degree murder, says he fired during a struggle for his life.
http://bostonherald.com/news/national/south/view/20120624statements_reveal_george_zimmermans_mind-set_before_trayvon_martin_shooting
madashelltoo
(1,699 posts)In this enactment, George says Trayvon had his hand over his mouth and nose. *This would have muffled his cries. Also, George had a slip of himself and Trayvon. Who was trying to cover whose mouth?* George's shirt shifts and Trayvon notices George's gun and says, "You're gonna die tonight, motherfucker." Trayvon reaches for the gun, George clamps his elbow down on Trayvon's hand, reaches over his body, takes gun out of holster and shoots him. Where were George's hands prior to him reaching for his gun?
On the first callers 911 tapes we heard the person who was calling out for help; he never hesitated, sounded muffled or stopped until the gunshot rang out. There were no muttered threats on the tape from Trayvon either. George is lying. He had that gun in his hand a while before he pulled that trigger. Trayvon was fighting for his life until George held him at gunpoint and all he could do was cry out for help.
And, being a city dweller, I know what a head looks like if it hits cement. George never, not that night or the next day, had a hickey or swelling from his supposed head banging on the cement. Those were grass or dirt abrasions on his head.
Stargazer09
(2,132 posts)To this actually going to trial. I want all of the evidence put together in front of a jury, not just the bits and pieces that we have been getting every so often.
Zimmerman sounds like someone who knows he murdered a kid in cold blood, but he doesn't think he deserves to go to jail over it. He honestly seems to think his actions were justified.
Amerigo Vespucci
(30,885 posts)I couldn't have said it better.
Stargazer09
(2,132 posts)I've been following this case closely. I have a 17-year-old son, and I can't imagine someone doing something like this to him just because he was walking through a strange neighborhood on a rainy evening. As a mother, and as a human being, this whole situation just makes me so sad. And angry.
What gave Zimmerman the right to chase down this boy in the first place? And why did he bring a gun with him? Did he really think he was going to do something good that night?
I really think he expected to be considered a hero for protecting "his" neighborhood. And a teenager is dead because Zimmerman wanted to play superhero.
JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)That is why we have laws that require people to act reasonably.
You don't have the right to simply be afraid and then kill someone because you are afraid of them. You have to have a reasonable fear of . . . and what follows depends on the specific law of a state.
Who decides what is a reasonable fear. Traditionally, that is the job of a jury. This crazy Stand Your Ground law may change all this rational, objective stuff and simply let criminals decide for themselves what is reasonable. I don't know how this will work. I don't think that could have been the intent of those who passed and signed the laws, but apparently Zimmerman's friends think so. We shall see.
Stargazer09
(2,132 posts)I'm looking forward to this going to trial.
The prosecution is fortunate to have the 911 recordings from the night in question, since the police department clearly didn't do a very good job of investigating the crime scene. I do give the police credit, however, for the reenactment video.
There are some crazy people out there, and while the Stand Your Ground law sounds good in theory (protect yourself from attack), I'm afraid it really did declare open season on humans.
asjr
(10,479 posts)Neighborhood watch captain. Didn't he appoint himself to that position?
lunatica
(53,410 posts)And I'd also like to know who the members of the watch group are and hear what they have to say. Maybe I haven't paid enough attention, but I haven't heard a single word regarding any neighborhood watch committee or team or anything.
Amerigo Vespucci
(30,885 posts)He anointed himself.
He carried a gun, which is in direct opposition to the ACTUAL "neighborhood watch captain" guidelines for his town.
He's DELUSIONAL.
FarPoint
(12,430 posts)This behavior is a first for me....most uncommon to ever do a post shooting video...ever....
If it was such a simple, alleged self defense shooting then why the video? Are we sure the video was made February 27th? It just is highly unique, actually bizarre....